Budget Bubbles! Great Sparkling Wine Under $20

If you’re like me, you love Champagne... A LOT! However, I’m unfortunately on a budget, which means I’ve got to look for amazing value in the vast world of bubbles if I’m going to enjoy this heavenly treat.  

But have no fear! I have tirelessly tasted the good, the bad, and the terrible so that you don’t have to.  

I’m really excited to share my three favorite selections of ‘Bubbles on a Budget’. These wines give incredible value at a reasonable cost while providing the elegance, finesse and quality that rival many Champagne houses.  

And to up the ante, I am only sharing sparkling wines made in the ‘méthode traditionnelle’, matching the same winemaking techniques used in all Champagne houses in France.

 Let’s dive in!


Gruet Brut - $13 - 90 pts. Wine Spectator

This one is my favorite out of the three. Gruet is a winery based in New Mexico, and the bubbles that come from there are top-notch. Wait... New Mexico!?!? 

You heard me right! And they specialize in sparkling wine as well. Since 1984, Gruet has been family-owned and producing bubbly inspired by those of France. The traditional method of production is used, adding even more elegance to the wine.  

I love this wine because it screams Champagne-quality, and it is an amazing value. At $13, this bubbly drinks like an $80 bottle easily. Why, you ask?

The notes of crisp apple, lovely honeysuckle, while floral, and yeasty bread portray the rich profile of a well-made Champagne. And this one has it all. The finish is equally elegant, pure, and long. 

This is available throughout the US pretty readily. If you can’t find it locally, you’re sure to find a great deal online, where I’ve seen it as low as $10! 


 

Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux - $15 - 4.1/5 pts. Vivino

When your friends bring this over as a party gift and rave about how much I need to try this... you try it. Not to mention that it calls itself ‘France’s First Sparkling Wine’.  And guess what? It was delicious!

The Saint-Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux is an incredible expression of French wine artistry. With a rich history, Saint-Hilaire claims stake to the original sparkling wine tag as well as rumors that Dom Perignon himself experimented in this area with the now-famous method of producing Champagne. 

Made with a cuvée of the local Mauzac grape, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc, this sparkler is fruit forward with crisp pear, green fruits, and tropical notes. Being made in the traditional method, there is also a yeasty element that doesn’t overwhelm. 

So if you’re looking for great value, look no further. You can find this on the internet for as low as $8.95, and I will promise that you will feel you stole the wine off the shelf.  


 

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige - $20 - 92 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Mumm Napa is a staple in the sparkling wine world of the US, specifically in Napa. I like to think of it as the thorough read that I will always bet on, and it hardly ever lets me down.  

Although this comes in at exactly one cent below the $20-mark, Mumm Napa Brut Prestige delights any bubbly connoisseur at the great price of $19.99.  

On the nose, citrusy lemon curd and pear are evident with an interesting hint of yeasty brioche. What’s even more interesting is the minerality of the wine, tasting a little salty (which totally balances the citrus). 

This buy is sure to please, giving an excellent alternative to the more expensive bubblers out there. Made with 100% Pinot Noir, it’s packs a unique intensity that is balanced and complex. 


The Final Note

All-in-all, I feel like we have found a few winners that can go head-to-head with Champagne, and we didn’t break the budget. Whether it is the Gruet, Mumm Napa, or Saint-Hilaire, you are not going to go wrong with these at your next date night or party.

Sparkling wines made in the traditional method should be considered an art form, where the winemaker is able to conduct his or her symphony into a cuvée that is expressive and memorable.  These wines definitely represent this, and I can’t wait for you to try these.

If you try one of these three selections, let me know what you think in the comments below!